These birds are a challenge to photograph, as they are constantly moving, darting from branch to branch in trees and shrubs in search of food and to defend their territory.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Lake Ming - Say's Phoebe
These little birds are often found sitting atop fence posts and tree branches, where they fly up or out to catch insects as they fly by.
Birds of Hart Park - American Coot
The American Coot is a familiar face at parks, lakes and wildlife refuges. It is a member of the rail family.
Birds of Hart Park - Rose Ringed Parakeet
This female Rise Ringed Parakeet was checking me out with a wary eye
Bird of Hart Park - Western Scrub Jay
This Western Scrub Jay takes a break from his singing to get a drink of water.
Birds of Hart Park - Hooded Merganser (male)
This male Hooded Merganser has been hanging out lately at Hart Park with his mate.
Monday, February 06, 2012
Birds of Hart Park - Mourning Dove - 1/5/2012
This Mourning Dove sits on a branch on a sunny Sunday morning at Bakersfield's Hart Park.
The next few photos are also from Sunday's visit to Hart Park. Enjoy!
Birds of Hart Park - Lincoln's Sparrow
Somewhat similar in appearance to the Song Sparrow, these secretive birds forage on the ground for insects and seeds.
Birds of Hart Park - White Breasted Nuthatch
The White Breasted Nuthatch is a tree dwelling bird, foraging for insects on the branches and trunks. They have powerful feet which enable them to cling to the bark of the trees. You may not see them at first, but they are quite noisy birds, so just listen for them and then follow the voice. They are often seen hanging upside down, and can descend head first down a tree trunk.
Birds of Hart Park - Dark Eyed Junco
This little guy was doing a pretty good job of blending in with its surroundings. These birds are ground dwellers, feeding on seeds and small fruits. It is a popular bird at feeders as well.
Bird of Hart Park - Rose Ringed Parakeet
This bird is a female, as the male has a distinct reddish neck ring. These are a noisy species of bird. In the morning as I am walking into work, I see these guys flying off in flocks to do their daily duties, loudly squawking as they go. And in the evening as I am leaving work, I see them flying back in to their nesting grounds, again, loudly squawking, announcing their arrival. It always brings a smile to my face to see them :)
Birds of Hart Park - Red Breasted Sapsucker
I came across this little fellow quite by accident and was unprepared to take his (or her) pic, so it isn't the best, but it was the only one I got that day. As soon as I snapped the pic, the bird flew away. Males and females of this particular species look alike.
Birds of Hart Park - Nuttall's Woodpecker
This Nuttall's Woodpecker is a female. The male has a patch of red atop his head. These birds prefer oak woodlands, but are also found in riparian and chaparral habitats as well.
Birds of Hart Park - House Wren
The House Wren is a very small songbird of the wren family. They are often found in residential areas and city parks.
Birds of Hart Park - Spotted Towhee
The Eastern Towhee and this bird pictured here, were once considered a single species called the Rufous Sided Towhee (in fact, in my bird book, it is called the Rufous Sided Towhee, but my book is rather old - guess I need to update my book - lol). The male (pictured here) has a black head, upper body and tail, whereas in the females, these parts are brown or gray.
Birds of Hart Park - Spotted Towhee
This guy was tough to get a good shot of, as these guys were inside the brush foraging for food and would not come out into the open, no matter how long I sat and waited. So this was one of my better shots.
Birds of Hart Park - Western Scrub Jay
These handsome, bright blue birds are not exactly shy about letting their presence being known. They have a very loud and distinct call. They are a member of the corvid family, which includes crows, ravens, nutcrackers and magpies. They are regarded as extremely intelligent birds.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Backyard Birds - Mourning Dove - 1/29/12
The Mourning Dove one of the most commonly found birds in the US. It is named for its mournful song.... woo-OOOOOH-woo-woo-woo.
Backyard Birds - American Robin - 1/29/12
The American Robin is a migratory songbird of the thrush family. It is found all over the US and Canada.
Backyard Birds - White Crowned Sparrow - 1/28/12
This little White Crowned Sparrow was busy feasting on the berries in the tree outside my bedroom window.
Backyard Birds - Cedar Waxwing - 1/27/12
The Cedar Waxwing is a striking bird, displaying its black face mask, yellow tail and orange-red wing tips.
Backyard Birds - Cedar Waxwing - 1/27/12
A whole flock of these guys were feasting on the berries in the tree just outside my apartment.
Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge -1/16/12 - American Avocet
This American Avocet is displaying its winter plumage.
Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge - Verdin
The adult Verdin has a yellow head and reddish wing patch. They can be found in hot, deserty areas where they feed on insects.
Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge - Double Crested Cormorant
A Double Crested Cormorant in flight. The Double Crested Cormorant is distinguished from other cormorants by its bright blue eyes and orange face.
Sonny Bono Ntl Wildlife Refuge - Snow Geese
a trio of Snow Geese (the middle one is in its Blue Phase) flies overhead
Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge - Snow Geese
A pair of Snow Geese flies over Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge.
Balboa Park - Yellow Rumped Warbler - 1/15/12
This Yellow Rumped Warbler was enjoying some sunshine at the fountain in San Diego's Balboa Park.
Balboa Park - Yellow Rumped Warbler
The Yellow Rumper Warbler is a striking bird. As the name implies, it has a yellow patch of feathers on its rump, but as you can see here, it also has yellow patches on its sides and head.
Balboa Park - Yellow Rumped Warbler
You can tell, from this picture, where the Yellow Rumped Warbler gets its name.
Balboa Park - California Towhee
The California Towhee can often be found in urban parks and gardens.
Balboa Park - Fox Squirrel
This little Fox Squirrel was eyeing me from a tree in San Diego's Balboa Park.
San Diego - Willet
The Willet is a relative of the Lesser Yellowlegs. It looks grayish on the surface, but in flight, the Willet has bold black markings on the undersides of its wings.
San Elijo Lagoon - Black Phoebe
The San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve is located near San Diego, between Solana Beach and Encinitas. This Black Phoebe was sitting on the fence at the reserve's parking lot.
Oceanside - Sea Lion
This sea lion was swimming around the boats at the marina...perhaps looking for a few tasty fish
Monday, January 23, 2012
Wilderness Park - Belted Kingfisher
This Belted Kingfisher was found in the Wilderness Park in Downey, CA. The female has a reddish brown secondary belt of color across its breast, which the male lacks. It is usually spotted on tops of trees, telephone poles and wires, fence posts, and other lookout points near bodies of water, looking for fish and other prey below.
Wilderness Park - Green Heron - juvenile
This Green Heron is a juvenile. The adult has a glossy greenish black cap of feathers on top of its head. It is often found with its neck pulled tightly against its body, as it is here.
Almansor Park - Hooded Merganser (male)
The male Hooded Merganser has a black head with a white patch. The "hood" is contracted here, but the feathers can be expanded to look like a hood on top of its head.
Almansor Park - Hooded Merganser (female)
As the name suggests, the Hooded Merganser has a crown of feathers that it can expand and contract. When expanded, as it is here, it looks like a hood.
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